“I was broke when I was born, that’s why I’m howlin” – Howlin’ Wolf.
What would rock and blues be like without Howlin’ Wolf? Nonexistent is
probably the right answer. Almost every rock, jazz and blues musician
from the 1960s onward has been influenced by Howlin’ Wolf. Being a
musician myself, I know that his writing style is something we all try
to emulate at one time or another. It’s a very natural and necessary
part of the American music catalogue. This would be a great DVD to get
for someone who wants to find out what the blues are all about. Howlin’
Wolf comes across as a totally likeable man whose passion and
dedication to his art has been evident through out his long career –
the interviews contained in this documentary do nothing to change that
perception.

What I like most about this DVD is the freshness that the music still
has. These songs are timeless and the performances on this DVD are
really worth owning. Most of the performances that are included are
from a 1966 performance in which Alan Lomax filmed Howlin’ Wolf in an
informal “Juke Joint” setting while on tour, but the first song that we
see is Howlin’ Wolf’s only American network TV performance on Shindig.
Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones introduces Howlin’ Wolf then, while
sitting back in the crowd, listens to Howlin‘ Wolf sing “How Many More
Years?” The power and emotion that come across is really breathtaking;
he owns the stage. The live performances, not just Howlin’ Wolf‘s, are
the highlight of this disc for me. Son House’s rendition of “John the
Revelator,” with his hands clapping as the only accompaniment, is truly
mesmerizing. There is also a jam session with Bukka White and Howlin’
Wolf, with White doing his best to outplay the Wolf. Seeing these old
Delta blues men do their art is something very special and if you’re a
fan of American music (rock, jazz, blues and country, to name a few
genres), you need to see this DVD. Other live songs presented live on
this disc are “Smokestack Lightning,” “I Am the Wolf,” “At the Bottom,”
“Little Red Rooster,” “Goin’ Down Slow,” “Shake For Me” and “Dust My
Broom.” “Smokestack Lightning” has an especially nice treatment done
with a montage of old train footage mixed with ‘50s-era Chicago to
create a really interesting-looking video.This
release is 30 minutes longer than the original theatrical version,
packed with all sorts of rare and previously unseen photos and film
footage of Wolf’s band. We also get treated to interviews with Howlin’
Wolf’s daughters, who provide insight into the man that you wouldn’t
see without their unique perspective. The other interviews that I get a
kick out of are all those with the legends like Memphis Slim, Willie
Dixon, Muddy Waters and Son House. These men are legends who are almost
mythlike with their intergeneration appeal, and just hearing them talk
about what it was like when they were first starting off is
fascinating. Two of the main interviewees in this release are Howlin’
Wolf’s guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Billy Boy Arnold, a bandleader
around Chicago in the 1950s. Sumlin was like an adopted son to Wolf,
while Arnold was a competitor of Wolf’s, so their viewpoints don’t
always agree, but respect for Howlin’ Wolf is something that they both
definitely have. Sumlin has also been cited by the likes of Jimi
Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page as a major influence on
their style of guitar playing. There are several instances in this disc
where Sumlin gets to play some of his signature riffs, beautiful stuff.

This year has been dubbed “The Uear of the Blues” by the United States
Congress and, while Martin Scorcese may have had the most visible
documentary this year (presented on PBS), I found “The Howlin’ Wolf
Story” much more interesting, in-depth and watchable. Listening to
Sumlin, Arnold and Howlin’ Wolf describe their music in the context of
their life and times is eye-opening and informative. Director Don
McGlynn and producer Joe Lauro have found some truly amazing footage to
help get across the power that was Howlin’ Wolf on stage. It is to be
hoped that this disc will get its due and perhaps other documentaries
of this genre will emulate some of its style and grace. Performing to
almost his very last day, Howlin’ Wolf will live on as an American
original, a musical visionary and a legend whose influence continues to
be felt to this very day. Highly recommended.